Missile system

ABSTRACT

A missile system has target detection and target destruction facilities interlinked by digital communication lines, the target detection facilities including a sonar and a digital receiver for space intelligence radio signals, wherein the sonar and the digital receiver for space intelligence radio signals are mounted on a self-elevating buoy placed inside a sealed radio-transparent case.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

The invention described and claimed hereinbelow is also described in Russian Patent Application RU ______ filed on ______. This Russian Patent Application, whose subject matter is incorporated here by reference, provides the basis for a claim of priority of invention under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coastal defense systems, and can be employed for delivering a missile strike, such as a single strike or a salv attack, at ships or naval forces, submarines and aircraft during coastal defense.

The French Exocet missile system is known, as disclosed in “Military Defense, 1995, V. 19, No. 2, P. 24-26, 28-31, Massimo Annati” “Coastal Defense Issues and Solutions”. Also, U.S.-made Harpoon missile system is known, as disclosed in Jane's Naval Weapon Systems, Coulsdon 2000, PP.328-344 RJM-84 UGM Harpoon (GWS-60). Both systems are shore-based and consist of a radar, post module and several firing modules used to perform single and salvo firing with Exocet MM 40 and Harpoon missiles respectively.

These systems have the disadvantage residing in their insufficient survivability, that is caused by the vulnerability of stationary anti-radar projectile control radar posts and the difficulty in concealing the stationary missile systems from the enemy's space intelligence. Failure of the control post results in the unavailability of the entire system.

Russian-made Rubezh coastal defense missile system is also known, as disclosed in Naval Weapons, The XXI Century Encyclopedia. Russia's Arms and Technologies, V.III, p. 125, Arms and Technologies Publishing House, Moscow, 2001. This system comprises self-propelled missile launchers incorporating a radar-based target designation system, a missile pre-launching and launching system, a radio communication system, and a vehicle (a truck) provided with a power supply system.

The mobility of the Rubezh missile system and availability of an integrated radar-based target designation model at each self-propelled missile launcher slightly increases the system survivability. During the massive attack, however, such measures of enhanced survivability are insufficient.

Another known missile system is disclosed in Russian patent RU 2,285,889. It includes a main control and communications command post linked with a target designation and surveying data system, a data exchange system, and self-propelled launchers with missiles, a base data origination system and a data exchange system. This system is characterized in the availability of the redundant self-propelled control and communication command point. Data management systems furnished with a control module, a processing module, a control panel have been introduced into the main and redundant self-propelled control and communication command posts and all self-propelled launchers. The control module has been connected to the data processing model via the Ethernet.

The control panel ensures the entry of the operation mode or a redundant self-propelled control and communication command post. The data processing module is equipped with a timer switched onto the second system bus, which has a connection to the input of the second serial channel controller. The output of the channel is connected to the data exchange system. The input of the first serial channel controller is linked to the first system bus, while its output has a connection to the target designation and surveying data system. Data management system of the main and redundant self-propelled control and communication command posts and all self-propelled launchers have been interconnected via the data exchange systems.

Redundancy of command posts and utilization of Ethernet somewhat increases survivability of the shore-based system. As in the previous example, however, the above-specified system survivability enhancement measures are not sufficient during a massive raid.

Finally, another missile system is disclosed in the British patent GB 2,380,244. It incorporates target destruction facilities interlinked with the digital communication lines. The detection facilities include a sonar and a digital receiver for space intelligence radio signals. The target destruction facilities have been implemented as a homing missile launcher unit. The missile launcher unit contains air-launched, shore-launched and sea-launched components. Launching facilities for air-launched missiles are deployed at unmanned aerial vehicles, equipped with sonars, and based on the early warning system data, may perform automatic takeoff and cyclic air patrol along the coastal line under defense. Launching facilities for the short-launched and sea-launched missiles are furnished with integrated passive detectors, and are ground-based and ship-borne respectively. The launcher missiles have TV homing hats.

The use of sonars (passive target acquisition aids) enables to raise the missile system survivability and protect it from anti-radar missiles. However, high precision of the enemy's up-to-data optical space intelligence and surveying facilities, comparable with the engagement zone for missiles with non-nuclear warheads, is a real solution of the survivability of the (self-preservation) issue for a missile system prior to onset of enemy's assaulting the objects defended by a missile system.

It is believed that there is a need for a further improvement of the existing missile systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a missile system which is a further improvement of the existing missile systems.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a missile system which has a higher survivability than the existing missile systems.

It is also another object of the present invention to provide a missile system with a reduced optical visibility from space at the deployment site, which thereby results in the system higher survivability.

In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a missile system, comprising target detection and target destruction facilities interlinked by digital communication lines, said target detection facilities including a sonar and a digital receiver for space intelligence radio signals, said sonar and said digital receiver for space intelligence radio signals being mounted onto a self-elevating buoy placed inside a sealed radio-transparent case.

Another feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in the provision of in said target destruction facilities are configured as a homing missile launcher unit.

A further feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, counter sabotage self-defense facilities.

A further feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in provision of fiber-optic digital communication lines.

A further feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated in that said missile launcher unit is configured so as to provide a bottom deployment and contains at least one self-elevating launcher with vertically positioned tubes and at least one self-elevating launcher with horizontally positioned tubes.

A further feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in that said counter sabotage self-defense facilities include at least one multiple rocket launcher with a sonar.

A further feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in that said target destruction facilities is configured as a homing missile launcher unit configurated for bottom deployment and containing at least one self-elevated launcher with vertically positioned tubes and at least one self-elevating launcher with horizontally positioned tubes; and counter sabotage self-defense facilities, and fiber-optical digital communication lines.

When the missile system is designed in accordance with the present invention, the installation of the sonar and the digital receiver for radio signals into a self-elevated buoy inside a sealed radio-transparent case and implementation of the missile launcher unit with the opportunity of bottom deployment, eliminate the opportunity for enemy's space optical intelligence with respect the battle array of the missile system and thus increases the survivability of the missile system.

The introduction of the counter sabotage self-defense facilities enables to raise the missile system survivability further, thanks to the underwater reconnaissance counter measures. Fitting of the missile launcher unit with self-elevated launchers having vertical horizontal tubes ensures successful air and marine assault counter measures, thus enhancing the survivability of the missile system.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a view showing a missile system in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A missile unit in accordance with the present invention includes a target detection facility 1 and a target destruction facility 2 which are interlinked via digital communication lines. The detection facility 1 includes a sonar 4 and a digital receiver 7 for radio signals of a space intelligence system 6, installed on a self-elevating buoy 7 inside a sealed radio-transparent case. The target destruction facility 2 is formed as a missile launcher unit with infrared or optical homing heads. The missile launcher unit is configured so that it provides an opportunity of bottom deployment and contains at least one self-elevating launcher 8 with vertically positioned tubes and at least one self-elevating launcher 9 with horizontally positioned set of tubes.

From the outer side, the launchers 8 and 9 (side of the sea) are fitted with autonomous counter sabotage self-defense facilities, including at least one automatic or multiple rocket launcher with a sonar 11. The unit is equipped with digital communication lines 3.

In order to ensure the opportunity of elevating and descending, the self-elevating launchers 8 and 9, the detection facility 1, the rocket launchers 10 are provided with ballasts 13, mooring cables, winches 15, air tanks 16 with rotary platforms 17. The ballasts 17 represent instrument containers provided with lead weights, power supply batteries, signal digital processing and control devices for the winch 15. The mooring cables 14 are actually ropes composed of graphite fibers and the fiber-optic communication lines 3 run through the central axis of the ropes.

The missile system in accordance with the present invention operates in the following manner.

In the initial position the mooring cables 14 are wound on the winch 15 to ensure stiffness of the launchers 8 and 9 and their ballast 13. In a threatening period, the detection facilities 1, the destruction facilities 2, and the multiple rocket launchers 10, with the aid of a submarine or a cargo vessel are covertly taken to the missile system deployment site and lowered to the sea bottom. Thereafter, the above listed elements are interlinked with the optical communication lines 3, and the winch 15 is activated to unwind the mooring cable 14 from the optical communication line 3. The buoy 7 surfaces. Once the buoy 7 reaches the sea surface, the tension of the mooring cable 14 becomes slackened. The device 12 for digital processing of signals for controlling the winch 15 of the buoy 7 responds to the slackened rope and commands that the winch 15 be turned off, while the receiver 5 and the sonar 4 to be turned both on.

The receiver 5 receives satellite navigation data to determine the accurate positioning of the missile system and alert data with regard to the coordinates of the enemy's air 18, marine surface 19, and underwater 20 targets. Simultaneously the sonar 4 receives acoustic signals from the marine targets 19, and defines the closest marine target direction. Being guided by the signals of the sonar 4 or the satellite, the platform 16 turns the launchers 9 in the direction of the closest marine target, for instance 20. While the marine target approaches the engagement zone, a signal is generated for the launcher 9 to be elevated. The winches 15 of the platforms 7 are activated, and the platform horizontally gets to the sea surface or reaches a specified missile launch depth range (a missile gain).

A signal for firing of the clampBand or pyro cartridge in a missile of the launcher 9, is generated after the launcher 9 goes up to the required launch depth and after the homing heads engage the marine target 20. The missile flies in the direction of the first target 20.

Following the take-off of the first missile, the launcher turns in the direction of the next target 19, and the attack is reiterated. The launcher 8 has the same operating procedure to hit air targets. Its only difference is that the latter vertically elevates from the sea bottom and launches missiles mainly based on the target designation data required from the satellite 6.

It is believed to be clear that the above represents only an example of implementation. The missile system configuration (battle array and the quantity of launchers 8 and 9) is changeable, subject to the current tactical object. The missile system can perform external control commands and function in the off-line mode, analyzing the data received from its sonars and making independent decisions whether or not to destroy objects within the range.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a missile system, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 

1. A missile system, comprising target detection and target destruction facilities interlinked by digital communication lines, said target detection facilities including a sonar and a digital receiver for space intelligence radio signals, said sonar and said digital receiver for space intelligence radio signals being mounted on a self-elevating buoy placed inside a sealed radio-transparent case.
 2. A missile system as defined in claim 1, wherein said target destruction facilities are configured as a homing missile launcher unit.
 3. A missile system as defined in claim 1; and further comprising counter sabotage self-defense facilities.
 4. A missile system as defined in claim 1; and further comprising fiber-optic digital communication lines.
 5. A missile system as defined in claim 2, wherein said missile launcher unit is configured so as to provide a bottom deployment and contains at least one self-elevating launcher with vertically positioned tubes and at least one self-elevating launcher with horizontally positioned tubes.
 6. A missile system as defined in claim 1, wherein said counter sabotage self-defense facilities include at least one multiple rocket launcher with a sonar.
 7. A missile system as defined in claim 1, wherein said target destruction facilities is configured as a homing missile launcher unit configured for bottom deployment and containing at least one self-elevated launcher with vertically positioned tubes and at least one self-elevating launcher with horizontally positioned tubes; further comprising counter sabotage self-defense facilities, and fiber-optical digital communication lines. 